2020-2021 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

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Are we allowed to attend the weekly zoom interest sessions even if we haven't received an II? I'm really excited about this school and I want to learn as much as possible about it.
 
dholida said:
Are we allowed to attend the weekly zoom interest sessions even if we haven't received an II? I'm really excited about this school and I want to learn as much as possible about it.
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The weekly zoom sessions are intended for applicants who have received an II. If you haven't already, you can check out a virtual open house recording available here: Uniformed Services University. (It's from 2018, but still provides some good info).

On the same page you'll find a virtual tour of the school, and towards the bottom there's a list of students you can reach out to if you have any questions about student life, why we chose USU, etc..
 
goldchallenge said:
The weekly zoom sessions are intended for applicants who have received an II. If you haven't already, you can check out a virtual open house recording available here: Uniformed Services University. (It's from 2018, but still provides some good info).

On the same page you'll find a virtual tour of the school, and towards the bottom there's a list of students you can reach out to if you have any questions about student life, why we chose USU, etc..
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Are the current weekly sessions recorded? I have work all day so I cannot attend the zoom session...
 
washhyyy said:
Are the current weekly sessions recorded? I have work all day so I cannot attend the zoom session...
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The virtual student panel and Q&A sessions are not recorded. But again, if you have any questions about student life, feel free to reach out to the students listed on the link I mentioned.
 
I did not have a clinical letter at the time of submission for this school, but finally got one since this is one of my top choices and I found out they really care about the letter. I submitted it through the AMCAS letter service, but how can I go about updating the school regarding the letter (considering I marked no to the clinical letter section at the time of secondary submission).
 
AnythingButCARS said:
I did not have a clinical letter at the time of submission for this school, but finally got one since this is one of my top choices and I found out they really care about the letter. I submitted it through the AMCAS letter service, but how can I go about updating the school regarding the letter (considering I marked no to the clinical letter section at the time of secondary submission).
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I would imagine you could reach out to your counselor.
 
WindmillChaser92 said:
Do you have your Letter of Approval to apply / contingent resignation approved? I am AD officer as well, and waiting on my contingent resignation to be approved. I have a couple II's at other schools, but I haven't heard anything from USUHS yet. I wouldn't be too worried about it just yet. Maybe they are waiting to have AD applicants' contingent resignations approved and on file to be safe before shelling out II's. I know they say it is only needed prior to acceptance, but with limited availability to interview applicants, it might make sense to only dish out coveted IIs to AD applicants that are for sure cleared to apply.
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I've initiated my voluntary separation paperwork with a signed LOA from my equivalent Wing Commander, but my separation request has been sitting at my host base which has me worried (I'm a USSF tenant unit on a USAF base). I've heard that we don't need the LOA/Separation approval to be interviewed but it is needed for acceptance but I obviously want that sooner rather than later!
 
Finally received my "application complete and under review" email today, Secondary complete on 7/17, Pre-req coursework received and complete 8/21.

I applied for the last cycle as well and interviewed in January, not accepted, received my rejection memo three weeks after completing my secondary for this cycle lol.

For those waiting on the application complete email, two things happened this week that might have progressed my application forward:

1. I am a reservist, commissioned officer, after a whole 10-month wait I finally received my DD368 packet approval for conditional release on 8/31 and emailed it to my counselor this week. (For those in service right now, you don't need this paperwork to interview because I did my interview last cycle without the paperwork. Your application will just not progress further past the interview process, like mine.)

2. Received my MCAT score this morning, I chose to retake the MCAT since I felt like quantitatively that was the only thing holding me back last year (also it was 2-years old). I was supposed to take it in early may but had to re-schedule for the end of August due to the pandemic cancellations. Overall, an improvement from 506 to 510.

So if you're retaking the MCATs then they are probably waiting to receive your new score before reviewing your application profile. I'm in the same boat as everyone excited, nervous, and hopeful. I am hoping I receive an II this cycle too and progress much further. Best of luck to you all and hope we can be part of this institution.
 
meganm5 said:
I've initiated my voluntary separation paperwork with a signed LOA from my equivalent Wing Commander, but my separation request has been sitting at my host base which has me worried (I'm a USSF tenant unit on a USAF base). I've heard that we don't need the LOA/Separation approval to be interviewed but it is needed for acceptance but I obviously want that sooner rather than later!
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Yes, it is not needed for the interview but definitely after the interview, I was pretty much non-existent. I didn't receive a rejection/waitlist / or acceptance email at all until I emailed the school in august asking for an update regarding my status. So the LOA from your commander is needed, and the DD368 needs to be signed. As I mentioned above, the process took me about 10-months for the conditional release to be signed by the G1 in my COC.
If you have the network/connections then that might definitely help with getting the process expedited, much harder for me as a reservist because I rarely get to see my brigade or div commander let alone the general lol.
 
@Matthew9Thirtyfive hello again, quick question about our assigned sponsors, do they fill out a report to the adcoms about what we ask/tell them or is it a “confidential” resource to ask them whatever we would like about being a med student and military life?
 
Hulk_MD said:
@Matthew9Thirtyfive hello again, quick question about our assigned sponsors, do they fill out a report to the adcoms about what we ask/tell them or is it a “confidential” resource to ask them whatever we would like about being a med student and military life?
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No, we have nothing to do with admissions. Literally just there to answer questions. When the interviews are in person, the host program is there so you can stay with a student the night before the interview. Since everything is virtual, they’re doing it like a virtual sponsor thing so you can still at least have a student to talk to.
 
Do they dilate your eyes for the Opto examination? Or should I count on not being able to drive afterwards.
 
Also lowkey needed an eye exam anyway so lowkey hoping I can get a prescription while I'm there LOL
 
I assume that if given an II, it's better to complete the physical exam sooner than later since no final decisions will be made until it's done?
 
Incognito32 said:
I assume that if given an II, it's better to complete the physical exam sooner than later since no final decisions will be made until it's done?
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Yes, the sooner the better. The decision thing is a good reason, but also, if you end up needing a waiver it is always better to get started on that earlier than later.
 
Where is the info to complete the physical/other requirements? I sent my secondary app this past weekend. Sorry i am asking a question that has a “no-brainer” answer.
 
@Matthew9Thirtyfive For reservists, is a DD368 required for admission? In reading through the USUHS FAQ, I believe they stated only a letter from your commanding officer is required for the reserve component. Should I submit a DD368 as well?

Thank you again for all your help and patience in responding to our questions!

Best of luck to everyone applying!
 
OnceARunner said:
@Matthew9Thirtyfive For reservists, is a DD368 required for admission? In reading through the USUHS FAQ, I believe they stated only a letter from your commanding officer is required for the reserve component. Should I submit a DD368 as well?

Thank you again for all your help and patience in responding to our questions!

Best of luck to everyone applying!
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You know I’m not sure. I was active duty, so all I needed was my LOR. From what I understand, you only need the letter from your CO. But I would double check with your counselor once you have it that you have everything you need.
 
OnceARunner said:
@Matthew9Thirtyfive For reservists, is a DD368 required for admission? In reading through the USUHS FAQ, I believe they stated only a letter from your commanding officer is required for the reserve component. Should I submit a DD368 as well?

Thank you again for all your help and patience in responding to our questions!

Best of luck to everyone applying!
Click to expand...
Hello! A reservist here. I turned in a "Letter of Approval to Apply" signed by my company commander. It was relatively straightforward as I emailed the letter template (available on the USU site) to my unit admin, who then sent it to my CO. Once I got the document, I sent it to my counselor who updated my file.
 
Hi guys,
Do you know if you are active duty are you able to apply for HPSP or do you have to complete your contract first?
(If I don’t get in this year. I’m considering joining the military and continue to apply to USUHS and other schools (with HPSP) )
 
Mowgli11 said:
Hi guys,
Do you know if you are active duty are you able to apply for HPSP or do you have to complete your contract first?
(If I don’t get in this year. I’m considering joining the military and continue to apply to USUHS and other schools (with HPSP) )
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You can apply, but honestly, joining the military will delay your app cycle by at least a couple years as you’re not likely to get approval until you’ve been at a command for at least 24 months if not longer depending on your designator (or MOS/rate if you went enlisted for some reason).
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
You can apply, but honestly, joining the military will delay your app cycle by at least a couple years as you’re not likely to get approval until you’ve been at a command for at least 24 months if not longer depending on your designator (or MOS/rate if you went enlisted for some reason).
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Oh okay, thank you for replying 🙂
 
Vairo said:
Hello! A reservist here. I turned in a "Letter of Approval to Apply" signed by my company commander. It was relatively straightforward as I emailed the letter template (available on the USU site) to my unit admin, who then sent it to my CO. Once I got the document, I sent it to my counselor who updated my file.
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Thank you!
 
For any of you that are also applying to HPSP, how long did it take you to get a MEPS date? I made sure I had all the documentation they wanted before submitting and have been waiting for over 3 weeks.
 
So if the physician who evaluated me told me I passed, is that all done with, or is DoDMERB also going to evaluate my physical/mental health questionnaire for a pass/fail decision?
 
aceofspades056 said:
So if the physician who evaluated me told me I passed, is that all done with, or is DoDMERB also going to evaluate my physical/mental health questionnaire for a pass/fail decision?
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The physician doesn’t make the decision. They will upload their findings and then DoDMerb will make a decision.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
The physician doesn’t make the decision. They will upload their findings and then DoDMerb will make a decision.
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Thanks! I'm a bit worried I'll be DQ'd because I saw a counselor after a difficult life event last summer and I'm not entirely sure what's written in those records.

I guess it's not in my control at this point really.
 
aceofspades056 said:
Thanks! I'm a bit worried I'll be DQ'd because I saw a counselor after a difficult life event last summer and I'm not entirely sure what's written in those records.

I guess it's not in my control at this point really.
Click to expand...

They don't see your records unless they request them for something. So it will depend on if they want to see why you saw a counselor and if they think they need to see the notes.
 
@Matthew9Thirtyfive Hey, so for those of us that have completed our interviews already, do we have to wait until the results of the physical before we hear anything back from the school? Earliest I can go get my physical is 9-28 so it's still over a week away plus I assume it takes a while to hear back. I see they offer unconditional and conditional acceptances from the previous years threads and wondering if this is what they are referring to.
 
Hulk_MD said:
@Matthew9Thirtyfive Hey, so for those of us that have completed our interviews already, do we have to wait until the results of the physical before we hear anything back from the school? Earliest I can go get my physical is 9-28 so it's still over a week away plus I assume it takes a while to hear back. I see they offer unconditional and conditional acceptances from the previous years threads and wondering if this is what they are referring to.
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I'm not Matthew but I inquired about this and the conditional acceptance can be given before you have taken your physicals. I think it's the unconditional that you need the examinations for.
 
aceofspades056 said:
I'm not Matthew but I inquired about this and the conditional acceptance can be given before you have taken your physicals. I think it's the unconditional that you need the examinations for.
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Thank you!
 
Hulk_MD said:
@Matthew9Thirtyfive Hey, so for those of us that have completed our interviews already, do we have to wait until the results of the physical before we hear anything back from the school? Earliest I can go get my physical is 9-28 so it's still over a week away plus I assume it takes a while to hear back. I see they offer unconditional and conditional acceptances from the previous years threads and wondering if this is what they are referring to.
Click to expand...

Conditional acceptance is given first. It can be given before you are medically cleared or cleared by security. Everyone who gets accepted will get this first, even if all that stuff is good. The unconditional comes after those things are good to go. When I got my acceptance, I was medically cleared and already had a clearance. I got my conditional first and then like three days later got my unconditional.

So no you don’t have to wait to get your acceptance, just an unconditional.

However, AAMC traffic rules prohibit schools from releasing acceptances before October 15 anyway.
 
Anyone else interviewing this week and not heard from their interviewers about date and time?
 
Shego said:
*raises hand*
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At least on the MS4 interviewers' side this past week was our week off after (residency) interview rotations and a lot of people are taking step 2 around now; we start up again tomorrow so I would suspect people will start reaching out tonight or tomorrow (if they haven't already). Also OSA has been sending us our interviewee lists no more than a few days before the week starts, COVID has them backed up too.
 
BunnyMan17 said:
At least on the MS4 interviewers' side this past week was our week off after (residency) interview rotations and a lot of people are taking step 2 around now; we start up again tomorrow so I would suspect people will start reaching out tonight or tomorrow (if they haven't already). Also OSA has been sending us our interviewee lists no more than a few days before the week starts, COVID has them backed up too.
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I am interviewing this week and was contacted today by an interviewer. 1 down, 1 to go! So excited!
 
For anyone who has done the optometrist exam already, did we need to bring the packet with us? I know for the physical we do but not sure if I need to print out a second copy for the optometrist exam.
 
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